We're at a point in the season where bowl projections aren't a complete crapshoot, but there is still a lot to be determined over the next two weeks.
For No. 5 Washington, the path to the College Football Playoff remains clear: Beat No. 23 Washington State, win the Pac-12 championship game, and the Huskies should be in -- should being the key word. The Huskies still have to be leery about what happens in the Big Ten. If No. 2 Ohio State beats No. 3 Michigan, it's likely that No. 7 Penn State will play No. 6 Wisconsin in the conference title game. The winner of that matchup could then claim to be the champion from what is arguably the best conference in the country this season.
That scenario wouldn't make it easy for the committee. Washington's best-case scenario is if Michigan beats Ohio State and goes on to win the Big Ten. If that happens, Ohio State would drop, and neither Wisconsin nor Penn State would be considered.
Washington isn't, however, the only Pac-12 team that could still conceivably reach the playoff. If No. 9 Colorado adds wins against No. 22 Utah and Washington in the conference title game, the Buffaloes would certainly be one of the teams the committee would have to consider when it ultimately selects the field. It's unlikely the Buffaloes would be chosen, but if chaos breaks out, that possibility remains.
The following projections are based on the following assumptions:
Washington beats Washington State
Colorado beats Utah
USC beats Notre Dame
Washington beats Colorado in the Pac-12 title game
If it plays out that way, USC would probably jump Colorado in the final College Football Playoff rankings. That would obligate the Rose Bowl to select the Trojans over Colorado, which USC beat in October.
Last year, the Holiday Bowl preferred Washington State over Utah because of their styles of play, which is why the Cougars are projected to San Diego.
College Football Playoff semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Washington
Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual: USC
Valero Alamo Bowl: Colorado
Holiday Bowl: Washington State
Foster Farms Bowl: Utah
Hyundai Sun Bowl: Stanford
Las Vegas Bowl: Arizona State
Cactus Bowl: vacant